Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M80 is a small space, crazy idea?

Well I am tired with my current speaker setup. They are Totem DreamCatcher minus the sub. Bookshelf speakers since my room is small. Sit only approx 12FT away from the tv / speakers, is it a dumb idea to get full size speakers for the front?

Here are a few pictures:

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Driving the speakers are the Monster Power 3 Channel and 2 Channel AMP with a 55TXI Receiver. In the future I want to upgrade the 55TXI to a AVM30 to take advantage of the Balanced Output. But figure that upgrading the speakers would be better first. Also I get listener fatigue with the Dreamcatcher system, worried that the Axiom's also having a metal based tweeter will cause the same problem ;-(.

Really only two companies that I am considering Axiom and Rocket's. Figure if I should spend $3K or less that should be plenty. My huge SVS 16PCi I am keeping since it's a great sub.

What do you guy's think?

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Some will disagree but IMHO get the best speakers you can afford. With your SVS you will have a great set-up with Axiom 80s. They will be more than you need but you'll have awesome sound.

I tried the 60's before upping to 80's. I don't regret it. You won't need the sub for stereo, the 80's can stand on theri own.

You obviously bought enough amp for future buys.

Give Axioms that 30 day try. Thay will take them back if your not satisfied.

Goose, welcome. Several members here use M80s in relatively small rooms, although the M60 should be plenty. Your 12' listening distance should work well, so no, your idea isn't crazy. What does seem a bit odd is thinking of changing your excellent 55TXi for an AVM30. A balanced output will bring no advantage except in the highly unlikely circumstance that you're running cables a very long distance through an area of high interference and ordinary shielded cables aren't adequate.

I guess the only concern I see is that if your planning on using the same wall, it will be pretty cramped with M80's or M60's for that matter. Since you have a great sub, maybe consider the Axiom 22's, they are a larger bookshelf, with fabulous reviews, just ask the Axiom owners on here

I guess that is the million dollar question, do I get a bigger bookshelf or go ahead and get the M80's. Would the M80's work ok so close the right wall and with the rack behind them? Assuming that the sound would be better than the Axiom 22's? Guess what it boils down to is if the M80's do sound better than the 22's in my space and I dont spend the extra money I will be kicking myself ;-).

It's interesting that you are considering Axioms OR Rockets; speakers that have WAY different sounds!

Another speaker that may be worth a look is the M50: it "Sounds" between the M60/M80 and the Rockets.

I also don't understand the term "Listener Fatigue"

Never heard it with my M3s OR M50s.

You might have to move the left M80 to the other side of the opening (ie close to the sub). Other than that, it should work OK. It looks like your setup has a very slight angle between the couch and the TV (ie the couch is a couple of feet to the right of the TV) so this could work out really well.

The only problem with having the right hand M80 so close to the wall is that you will get lots of bass reinforcement, but you have enough depth in the room that you can probably keep them away from the back walls.

Anyways, I think it would work. Biggest concern is visually overpowering the room, although they will still be a bit smaller than the SVS (deeper but not as tall). It could work visually... what colour are you thinking about for the speakers ?

What are the differences between the M80's and something comparable from Rocket? I am hoping to bring more of a presence / fullness with upgrading to the Axiom's over the Totem's. Plus the listener fatigue is kind of a pain also ;-).

Yeah I have no problem with moving the left speaker toward the sub. Can always move the right speaker a little forward also, just might be a little weird. Plus the left speaker when not in use I can kind of hide it behind the tv if need to.

Was thinking of getting the Cherry.

Plus did I mention that big speakers have a coolness factor :-). The bonus is moving into a new house as soon as this CA bubble bursts, hehe.

>>Plus the left speaker when not in use I can kind of hide it behind the tv if need to.

Um... yeah... like hiding an elephant behind a bay leaf

One other question for you -- with the current layout (one speaker right beside a wall, the other out in the open) don't you find that your stereo imaging gets seriously messed up ? I expect moving the left speaker to the other side of the opening would help because the wall reflections on each channel would be better matched...

If you think there is a chance that you would someday have a bigger room/house/apt whatever, I say buy whatever you can afford.

>> Um... yeah... like hiding an elephant behind a bay leaf

Ok scratch that idea.

Here is a interesting idea, what if I move the rack next to the coach. Which would then open up the right side of the Tv for the new speaker, plus move the left speaker toward the other wall like you mentioned. Then I could put the QS8 up on the wall. The Center channel will never be perfectly center, but ohh well..

What about that plan?

Now you're talking. I wondered if there was something you could move to open up the space a bit...

Hiding the M80 behind the TV isn't actually that bad an idea, it's just that (a) the M80s are a lot deeper than people expect (so are M60s) and (b) they're kinda heavy to move around all the time. I think the heights would work out OK.

Progress is being made, funny how doing something so simple as moving a rack can excite a person. The service rep mentioned tha M22Ti's as a good option and did mention that there is a upgrade policy that can be had. Problem is I would have no idea what the M80's would sound like versus the M22ti's!

Isn't there a way yet that Axiom can teleport the speakers for a day or so ;-).

P.S. I have seen full size speakers in smaller spaces..

There are a lot of Axiom owners around who would be happy to let you hear the bigger speakers. Whereabouts do you live ?

I've been working on a nano replicator compiler for a while, but can't remember where I misplaced it.

My understanding is that M80s sound like big M22s, and M22s sound like small M80s, and M60s sound like bigger M22s, but smaller M80s, and M2s sound smaller yet, although are almost as loud as M22s just not as big, and Rockets don't sound like any of them at all, although they sound good, but warm.

<< Whereabouts do you live ?

Live in Concord, CA it's approx 20 miles east of San Francisco.
Also as my brain continues to run I am thinking about doing something even better. Thinking about getting a drop-down projector screen with a rear projector. This would ultimately completely center the right and left speaker to the sitting position. Plus I would gain a bigger viewing area and the center speaker can be just moved when not in use ;-).

I think I have created a monster!

That's Axiom Country, if I'm not mistaken. Pmbuko, Kcarlisle and Tharkun (possibly all spelled wrong ) are in the area for sure, and I think there are more.

Heh Heh! If you want to hear M80s, Tharkun is your man. The crazy son of a gun has 5 of them, plus 2 QS8s in a 7.1 configuration. OOPS! I forgot. It's actually a 7.2 configuration. The ".2" is TWO EP600 SUBWOOFERS! He's in Tracy, CA. and, in all probability, those two EP600s will be solely responsible for the next quake in the S.F. area.

He is a good guy. If you PM, or email, him with a request for a listen, I suspect he'd be happy to accommodate you.

Tharkun's Profile Page (You can PM or email him from here)

Tharkun's Haxiom Theater (Click on the "Gallery" for photos.)

Here's a list of Axiom owners who are willing to demo their speakers

>>those two EP600s will be solely responsible for the next quake in the S.F. area

Actually I suspect Dennis has prevented the last few quakes with his 600s. The constant jiggling of the tectonic plates by the 600s allows them to slide smoothly against each other instead of that awful quake-genarating grind.

Now the NEIGHBOR'S plates -- that's another story

Those dreamcatchers are beautiful.

Nope, you got everyone's name right but mine... Geez, how many times do I have to post?

And who are you again?

<< That's Axiom Country, if I'm not mistaken. Pmbuko, Kcarlisle and Tharkun

Hmmm none of those sound familiar probably because I meant California and not Canada ;-).

Thanks for the referall to go and listen, will be sure to drop an e-mail and see what happens.

Last day or so something else has come to mind, thinking if it would make sense. To open up more space I am considering getting rid of the TV and putting in a dropdown screen ;-).
Wonder if the technology is there to replace my tv..

The Dreamcatchers are very nice speakers they are built beautifully. Just time to get something with more ooomph.

>>Hmmm none of those sound familiar

Sorry, those are Axiom owners on the board, not towns (including the oft-misspelled kcarlile a couple of posts above) all living in the San Francisco area (of California ).

Heh heh heh... guess Peter and I have been slowing down in posting or something!

I have never heard of M80, but i own M60. I also listened to Totem Forrest. This speaker is amazing. Great bass, smooth. The Forrest has only two drivers and it's light weight. However, it's pricey. Therefore, i'll stick with M60 for a while.

Hey Goose,

I'm also in San Jose if you're willing to drive down here for a demo. Looks like we have the same huge wega Sony.

Well later today I will start planning to move my equipment rack toward the back where the couch is. And after that I will go ahead and order the M60's along with the center and give it a shootout. Need longer cable to make the DVI run and all, yuck that will cost some ;-)

In reply to:

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I will go ahead and order the M60's along with the center

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I think my first question when I joined these boards was whether or not the M60s "would still be able to sound delicate on acoustic guitar" in a small room, or did they just need a bigger room to "stretch their legs"? I was assured that they would do fine, and they do.

I've owned some of the old classic DCM TimeFrame 600 panel speakers (when DCM had higher-end lines) and with them, experienced speakers that really need lots of power and a big room. The 60's in comparison have offered everything I was looking for: sheer power when required but a delicacy when required as well.

You'll be happy with them!

I was just faced with the same question. I previously had m22's as my fronts which are currently setup in my bedroom which is only about 16x14. I replaced the m22 fronts with m80's just last night actually, and can say that the m80's sound much better even in a fairly small room. The sound seems much fuller and far less directional. With the m22's I found that it only sounded good when my ears were level with the tweeters on the m22s, but this is not the case with the m80's. I guess this is the "broader soundstage" that everyone talks about. My .02

I agree.

Chalk up another M80 owner .

Just wanted to let everyone know that today or tommorow the M60's along with the VP150 will be shipped from Axiom. Alongside with the 550 and RSC200 from Rocket. The games will begin shortly. Will be purchasing a new set of speaker cables from BlueJeansCable.

Can't wait for them to get here so I can PLAY! ;-)

I must say, that is the way to go about choosing speakers. Just order em, and see how they sound in your room with your stuff. Bravo. Take your time and let us know what you think. I find I have to spend a lot of time with a speaker to appreciate the nuances it offers. Always hard to go to a store and listen. Nice to have them in the comfort of your own home.

Terrific, Goose. I look forward to hearing your impressions of both sets of speakers.

Ihave the 80's with a Denon 885 (110)watts @6 ohms in a room that ia 12x15x8. After the set up and seats I am about 8ft away. Iasked the boys @axiom if they think I should down size and they told me no way. I glad I listened to them because they sound superb. I look at it like they are m3's or 50's with built in stands.
PS. if bug or someone could share with me how to get pictures on a post I would happy to post them.
Peace

here are instructions on how to post images

How to post an image

I ended up getting the M60ti because the engineer said that between the M60ti and M80ti it's the same sound signature and with my room dimensions it would be very hard to tell the difference.

And I tend to agree with him, especially since it is the same sound signature.

But we will see ;-)